EDITION 5, SPRING/SUMMER 2017
Garden, Home & Gift
PLANT PRODUCTION POPLAR
MINIATURE RAILWAY OUTDOOR LIVING MONEY SAVING VOUCHERS INSIDE
Dear Customers
Spring 2017 Welcome to our Spring 2017 magazine. We are all looking forward to another busy season here at Poplar. Regular customers will know that we have an extensive Gift Shop, Farm Shop and Restaurant here, as well as everything you could possibly need for your garden. Displays of seasonal plants including garden perennials, Mediterranean plants, ornamental and fruit trees, climbers, alpines, seasonal vegetable and bedding plants caters for all, from the novice gardener to the plant connoisseur. Our comprehensive A-Z of shrubs is available year round in a range of sizes.
Contents
The Poplar Miniature Railway is now a firm favourite with our customers young and old alike - thousands have now travelled around our display gardens since it’s opening in 2014.
2 Eating out
Remember Poplar has plenty of free parking as well as baby changing and disabled toilet facilities. If you have never visited before, you can’t miss us on the A120 with our now famous ‘Poplar Elephant’ water feature at the front! He gets a lot of social media coverage when he ices up in winter.
3 Outdoor living
Enjoy fabulous home cooked food in the relaxed atmosphere of our restaurant.
New season garden furniture, a great barbecue offer and the Weber Grill Academy is back.
11 The Poplar Miniature Railway Journey around our display gardens on one of our miniature steam trains.
Turn to page thirty for our money saving voucher offers and we hope you have a great season in the garden.
13 Poplar Farm Shop
Matthew Cowan
14 An insight into plant production
Sharing our passion for good food.
Follow the fascinating journey of a rose. Matthew Cowan Managing Director
25 Gift Shop
OPENING HOURS: Monday to Saturday: 8.30am - 5.30pm Sunday: 10am - 4pm (viewing from 9.30am, tills open 10am). WINTER: Please note that the Garden Centre closes at 5pm Monday to Saturday during winter.
27 A word about Christmas
Find the perfect gift for any occasion. It’s all change at Poplar when the summer season ends.
28 Houseplants Sharing a love of houseplants on social media.
30 Voucher offers POPLAR NURSERIES LTD, COGGESHALL RD, MARKS TEY, COLCHESTER CO6 1HR
01206 210374 enquiries@poplarnurseries.co.uk www.poplarnurseries.co.uk
Our great money saving offers.
30 Voucher offers Money saving vouchers for the Garden Centre, Restaurant and Farm Shop.
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Eating Out RELAX WITH A COFFEE, ENJOY A HEARTY BREAKFAST, SHARE A TASTY LUNCH WITH FRIENDS OR TREAT YOURSELF TO AN AFTERNOON TEA.
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ur comfortable and spacious restaurant seats up to two hundred and twenty five people, with an outdoor terrace overlooking the gardens and miniature railway, making it the perfect place to sit and relax in the summertime. On cold winter days our inviting log burners create a warm and cosy atmosphere inside. Everything is home baked and hand made here on site by our talented kitchen team, using the best locally sourced ingredients we can find. Our menu changes seasonally, offering a wide range from light lunches right through to our delicious desserts.
THE COFFEE HUT Run alongside the restaurant, the Coffee Hut aims to provides a quick and easy takeaway service for hot and cold drinks, cakes and a range of ice creams full of exciting new flavours alongside our favourites. We will also be serving cream teas from the Coffee Hut this year.
WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE GREAT FOOD, DELIVERED BY OUR FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL TEAM. AT POPLAR NOTHING IS TOO MUCH TROUBLE.
Open every day during the school holidays (except Christmas) and weekends from March to October (weather permitting).
AFTERNOON TEA Afternoon Tea is an occasion steeped in English tradition and there’s nothing quite like it on a summers day. Choose from traditional or Prosecco options. Gift vouchers available. Booking is required.
CHILDREN’S COLOURING COMPETITION We have teamed up with Barrett & Coe, a local photographer and his company and started our free colouring competition for kids, which has proved immensely popular - especially with the parents!
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Cologne set with 10 year warranty
Outdoor Living CREATE THE PERFECT SETTING FOR HAZY SUMMER DAYS AND EVENINGS SPENT WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
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ur Outdoor Living team are ready for an exciting 2017 with our extensive range of garden furniture and grilling systems. We offer expert advice and guidance to help you experience the very best of outdoor living this coming summer. Once you have your chosen furniture and cooking system in place, complete the setting with some fabulous plants - a few pots and baskets always look very welcoming to guests - and you have the recipe for a perfect summer! The brand new Cologne collection from Alexander Rose (pictured above) incorporates the finest quality Roble wood. Precision engineered stainless steel tube frames contain a protective film of chromium oxide which prevents surface corrosion, making them ideal for outdoor use. These sets will provide years of enjoyment and comfort with little maintenance.
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OUTDOOR LIVING
Jamie Oliver Garden Furniture ENTERTAINING AND DINING WITH THESE STYLISH SETS BY JAMIE OLIVER THE JAMIE OLIVER COSY CORNER SET This set is the ultimate way to enjoy alfresco entertaining in style. The cosy corner sofas seat six people and with a sunken ice bucket to keep drinks chilled, your guests can relax in comfort while watching sizzling goodies cooked right in front of them on the table's inset grill.
THE JAMIE OLIVER FIRE PIT SET
THE JAMIE OLIVER DEEP SEATED COFFEE SET
With four deep-seated chill-out chairs and a low table with sunken fire pit in the centre, the Jamie Oliver Fire Pit Set is perfect for those lazy summer evenings with friends and family - and it will keep you warm when things get chilly too.
Relax and enjoy the summer on the Jamie Oliver Deep Seated Coffee Set. With two comfortable chairs and a coffee table, this stylish set is perfect for enjoying summer breakfasts and an afternoon cuppa in the garden.
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A SIZZLING SUMMER T
his year we are introducing the Weber Genesis II series into our already extensive range of barbecues. With must have accessories, the Weber experience is one you won’t want to miss out on, so gather the family and ignite the flame! Cook up a storm with this impressive four burner gas barbecue. Throw on burgers, pizza, or serve a big, juicy roast when friends and family come over for a get-together.
Weber Gourmet BBQ System The Gourmet BBQ System started in 2010 and the range of accessories have been expanding ever since, making it proof of the claim that nearly any dish can be prepared on a barbecue.
SEE OPPOSITE PAGE FOR DETAILS OF FREE COVER & TOOL KIT OFFER ON WEBER GENESIS II
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DUTCH OVEN INSERT
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WAFFLE & SANDWICH IRON INSERT
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GRIDDLE INSERT
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SEAR GRATE INSERT
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PIZZA STONE
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WOK & STEAMER INSERT
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POULTRY ROASTER INSERT
BECOME A GRILL MASTER IN 2017 ONE EVENING BARBECUE COURSE AT POPLAR NURSER IES HOSTED BY AN EXPERIENCE D WEBER CHEF
FRIDAY 5th MAY & SATURD AY 10th 6 -9pm (Arrive 5.45pm)
MENU R STARTE orizo skewers h c fish & o c n a i b Risotto OURSE ey MAIN C & smoked chutn s ed g e u r g er , w Cheeseb T DESSER am c tin re Tarte Ta S SNACK bread t garlic fla & b r e H ak Beef ste es chicken cu er barbe BQ sauce s u f n i y r ith B Poult au s ag e w s d e k o Sm
JUNE
with complimentary drinks and ni
TICKETS £30 EACH
bbles
Cook and dine with an experienced Weber chef to gain hands on experienc e. To include starters, main course, dessert & snacks.
TICKETS AVAILABLE IN STORE 5
GENESIS II E-410 BLACK £999
( 7135) R E V O C E DELUX
£129.99
Cook up a storm with this impressive four burner Weber Genesis II gas barbecue. Throw on PREMIUM burgers, pizza, or serve a big juicy roast. TWO PI
ECE TOOL KIT ( 6645)
£34.99
FREE COVER & TOOL KIT WORTH £164.98 WITH WEBER GENESIS II PURCHASE EXCLUSIVELY AT POPLAR NURSERIES 6
Solar Lighting USE THE SUN’S ENERGY TO ILLUMINATE A PATH, OR CREATE BEAUTIFUL SUBTLE LIGHTING FOR SUMMER EVENINGS IN THE GARDEN With people spending more time in their gardens, solar lighting has become hugely popular. It’s easy to use, without all the fuss of having to use mains electricity and now it’s better than ever before with brightness being up to three hundred lumens. Solar lights are easy to install and virtually maintenance free. Lighting systems use solar cells, which convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity is stored in batteries for use at night. Popular home uses for outdoor solar lighting include pathway light sets, wall-mounted lamps, freestanding lamp posts, and security lights.
Whether you want to mark-out your borders, decorate your prized plants or brighten-up your outside space, we have the perfect choices for illuminating your garden and lighting up the night sky.
Poplar Miniature Railway OVER 160,000 PASSENGERS HAVE TRAVELLED ON OUR RAILWAY SINCE IT FIRST OPENED IN 2014, MAKING IT ONE OF THE BUSIEST MINIATURE TRAINS IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY.
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ur Poplar Miniature Railway is now firmly established as a great place to visit for all members of the family throughout the year. 2016 was another successful season with the addition of new sidings, locomotives and coaches. The big news for 2017 is the arrival of our Drive Yourself Tram Ride. This will open at Easter in the new extended station area. Special events will include an Easter Trail, Summer Gala, Spooky Halloween and Christmas specials, with our Night Trains providing the spectacle of steam in the illuminated gardens in the run up to Christmas. All three of our beautiful steam engines will be in use during 2017, supported by our electric engine Poplar Lady. Poppy is always the children’s favourite, possibly because she looks like a certain well known blue tank engine! Our graceful lady Yeo can pull the heaviest trains all day long, whilst the American engine Alice is the heavyweight of the trio, looking splendid with her large headlamp and bell. The railway works closely with the Kid’s Activities team at Poplar to ensure that there is something special to see and do every month of the year. With the prospect of warm, sunny days ahead we look forward to another great season on the railway.
TURN TO PAGE THIRTY FOR POPLAR MINIATURE RAILWAY HALF PRICE TRAIN RIDE VOUCHER
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Poplar Farm Shop OUR FARM SHOP CONTINUES TO GROW, OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL AND SEASONAL PRODUCE IN RELAXED AND FRIENDLY SURROUNDINGS.
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ur delicatessen counter is always full of delicious home cooked food including homemade pies, gourmet sausage rolls, freshly made soups, salads, quiches and seasonal specialities. In addition to this, our cakes and puddings make the perfect sweet treat. Our vast cheese selection continues to expand with some world competition winners including Montagnolo Affine, a creamy blue cheese from Bavaria. Good cheeses deserve good wines to accompany them and we would recommend any of our local wines from Dedham Vale and New Hall Vineyard, or perhaps one of our European wines. Luxury jams and tinned biscuits form Wilkin & Sons at Tipree and Cartwright & Butler make the perfect gift, or perhaps some old fashioned sweets or locally produced chocolates and fudge. Our Farm Shop also has a good selection of gluten free food including pasta, cakes and some homemade meals and we also stock gluten free beer. We regularly feature some great promotions, with our ‘Dine in at Home’ offer being a customer favourite, so pop in and see us soon to see what’s cooking!
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An insight into plant production by Ian Baylis (Planteria Manager)
FOLLOW THE FASCINATING JOURNEY OF ROSA ‘SCENT FROM HEAVEN’ The variety Rosa ‘Scent from Heaven’ came from a breeding programme that began 10 years ago. Trials of the variety started in 2010, with the first plants being available to purchase in 2017. 14
SPRING YEAR 1, PLANTING ROOTSTOCKS
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ccording to the Centre for Retail Research, online retailing sales figures for the UK (2017) are forecast to reach £60.04bn, an increase of 14.9% from the year previous, with the value of traditional store based retailing expected to shrink by -3.4%. As more people become “armchair” internet shoppers so attitudes towards product availability and instant gratification also change. I too now find myself looking for items on my phone or ipad whether that’s food, a CD, clothing or equipment, making an instant purchase and for that product to be delivered direct to my door or available for collection within the same week. With more and more expectation that products should be available for purchasing twelve months of the year, we as horticulturists find it increasingly difficult to explain to customers that instant and consistent product availability is not realistic, or indeed possible when dealing with the production of garden plants. When dealing with the production cycle for annual seed raised bedding plants everything can be achieved from sowing seed, through to dispatch and planting within a time frame of eight weeks. However, when we take a look at the production cycle of a hardy plant the time scale for production is significantly longer and with production numbers being based upon what future forecast demand may be.
SUMMER YEAR 1, BUDDING
SUMMER YEAR 1, TYING IN
To help provide an insight into plant production I am using a new rose variety, Rose of the Year 2017, Rosa ‘Scent from Heaven’. Rosa ‘Scent from Heaven’ is a hybrid tea type variety of climbing rose growing up to 3m in height, freely producing blooms salmon-orange to deep apricot, which flower all over the plant, rich and fruity in fragrance (winner of ‘fragrance a fragrance’ award in Paris 2014), outstanding disease resistance and dark glossy green foliage. In addition to these awards it also won a Certificate of Merit in the Royal National Rose Society (RNRS) trials 2013. WINTER YEAR 2, HEADING BACK ROOTSTOCK
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CALENDAR FOR PRODUCTION Spring year 1: Planting rootstocks.
Autumn year 2/Spring year 3: Potting roses.
The rootstock is the knuckle type part at the base of the rose bush, normally Rosa laxa, giving the rose its vigour.
Having been mechanically lifted from the fields the roses are then graded and trimmed by hand. These plants are next potted up, with conveyer belts moving the potted product onto the transport trailers. From trailers the roses are then stood down onto the holding beds where they will stay until point of dispatch. Depending on climatic conditions and demand, the roses can also be placed into cold storage. Cold storage enables the plants to be ‘held back’, thus delaying flower production, and so allow for batches of budded/bud and flower roses to be available for sale so as to allow for an extended sales period.
Summer year 1: Budding and tying in. Budding is where the scion, in this case a single bud (where the leaf grows from) of the named variety is inserted into a cut envelope section of the rootstock.
Winter year 2: Heading back rootstock. Cut down the growth that the rootstock has made so as to allow the bud of the named variety to grow without competition.
Summer year 2: Spraying. Predominantly using garlic or soft soap products so as to suffocate aphids whilst promoting good plant growth.
OUR ROSE GROWER (WHARTONS NURSERIES LTD) IS THE LARGEST PRODUCER IN THE UK, PRODUCING AROUND 1.5 MILLION ROSES A YEAR FROM OVER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY ACRES.
AUTUMN YEAR 2/SPRING YEAR 3, POTTING ROSES
SUMMER YEAR 2, SPRAYING
COLD STORAGE AREA
POTTED ROSES ON BEDS
ROSA ‘SCENT FROM HEAVEN’ IN BLOOM
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Gift Shop OUR TEAM TRAVEL THE COUNTRY VISITING EXHIBITIONS TO BRING YOU THE VERY BEST IN NEW SEASON PIECES New for 2017 in lifestyle are hemmed woven PVC indoor/outdoor placemats and Kew, a tropical stripe collection in bright spring, summer colours. Compliment with space dyed throws to complete the look. 25
HOME FRAGRANCE With over twenty five years experience in designing and creating handmade candles Stoneglow have become the natural choice for high quality home fragrance. Mandarin and Lime scented candles and reed diffuser have a zesty citrus accord of lime, mandarin and grapefruit. Herbal notes of basil and lavender sit on an earthy patchouli base.
HOMEWARES An extensive range of homewares from renowned designers, including the Harbour Sands collection - inspired by the natural beauty of the Cornish coastline.
GREETINGS CARDS A wide range of cards and gift wrap from several different publishers including the watercolour artist Alex Clark. We have also recently introduced the award winning Second Nature Pop Up Cards.
TOILETRIES With the benefits of plant extracts enriched with vitamins and essential oils of patchouli and mandarin this Sweet Pea and Mandarin collection will feel great on all skin types. Freesia adds freshness, whilst softness is created using white musk blended with a delicate honeysuckle accent and transparent lotus flower. Paraben and sulfate free.
TOYS Beautifully crafted traditional wooden toys from Orange Tree all lovingly designed for maximum fun and safety.
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A word about Christmas IF YOU LOVE CHRISTMAS, THEN A VISIT TO OUR SHOWROOMS IS A MUST!
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t may seem a bit odd talking about Christmas just as we are heading into spring, but as our customers now come from far and wide just to see our displays, we thought it deserves a mention. As the summer season draws to a close, we empty out our large furniture showrooms to make way for our festive displays. The Christmas team move in and begin the task of creating the magic, ready for the opening at the beginning of October. As soon as the doors open the whole area fills with children and adults and the atmosphere is something very special. We are always overwhelmed by the positive comments and feedback we receive and amazed at the number of people who make a special point of visiting every year. Real Christmas trees (cut and potted) arrive in November together with wreathes and mistletoe and it’s then that you feel the real spirit of Christmas.
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Poplar Kid’s Activities (see opposite) have become a firm favourite with children and by far the most popular is our Santa’s Grotto and Breakfast & Supper with Santa events. A visit to our magical grotto includes a walk through our winter wonderland where you chat with the elves before meeting Santa. As well as a traditional gift, children also receive a real baby Christmas tree to plant in the garden. Breakfast and Supper with Santa are also delightful occasions, with Santa arriving to give all the children personalised gifts before storytelling and a sing-a-long. These events are our most popular and always sell out very quickly when they are released on 14th September, therefore we advise booking early to avoid disappointment. Christmas is the time for traditional English Poinsettias and our Houseplant department is always full to bursting with these as well as beautifully planted gift bowls and hundreds of flowering indoor plants that make the most welcome of gifts during the festive season.
THE RISING POPULARITY OF
HOUSEPLANTS Millions of people all over the world share their passion for indoor plants on social media You only need look at social media nowadays to see the huge resurgence in the popularity of houseplants. For instance, if you search succulents in Instagram you will find over two and a half million results and cacti has over four and a half million! There’s no doubt that indoor plants excite people all over the world. People love to share what they are growing, as well as fascinating information about the plants, such as their countries of origin and the native conditions they grow in. Enthusiasm definitely runs high, showing a real appreciation and understanding of nature.
Kid’s Activities Started in 2012, our Kid’s Activities events are great fun for children during the school holidays. Breakfast and Supper with Santa are the most popular and always sell out extremely quickly. (See opposite article on Christmas for further details.) Children also love the Jenny’s Ark Petting Zoo where they can handle and groom the rabbits and guinea pigs, or meet the snakes and other wriggly creatures if they are feeling brave. Other events include Teddy Bears Picnics, Pumpkin Carving and workshops. Please visit our website for a full list, which is updated every year on 14th September ready for the new school year. If you are visiting us this Easter, children can complete our free Easter Trail and receive a free gift. (From 1st 18th April. No booking required.) Please also note that children must be accompanied by an adult throughout each activity.
Social media is the perfect window to see what other people are growing. Some of the displays created are real works of art that people then try to replicate in their own homes. The sheer range of species available is so interesting and varied that it is easy to understand how growing these plants can easily become a passion. Search and see what we mean, but be warned you could be there for hours and then you will need to rush straight to Poplar to start your collection because it can become very addictive!
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